Can I Get A: Deeper Look At Jay Z’s Album Ranking

The Facts: Highest selling debut week (680,000) for a Jay Z album. Debuted No. 1. Lost Grammy for Best Rap Album to Kanye West's Graduation.

Haters Say: "Why did he come back?"

In October 2006, after a shocking retirement in 2003, Jay Z returned. Just Blaze sounded the alarm. The warning shot: "Show Me What You Got." First week sales of 680,000 made it Jay's fastest-selling debut.

The rest of the album, however, suffered from that "state of emergency" vibe (aside from his critically acclaimed response to Hurricane Katrina, "Minority Report"). Jay's note on this one: "First game back, don't shoot me."